Improvement in manufacture of boots and shoes



2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

W R. MILLER. Manufacture of Boot-s and Shoes.

-INVEN DH N PETERS. FHOTO LITHOGRAPHERI WASHINGTON. D Q

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

W 'R. MILLER. Manufacture of Boots and shoes.

No. 214,684. Patented April 22 i ll llfllllfllllfi N-PEIERS, FMOTO-UYNOGRAPHER, WASHINGTON, n. G.

UNITED STATES PATENT OEEIoE- WILLIAM B- MILLER, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

IMPROVEMENT IN MANUFACTURE OF BOOTS AND SHOES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 214,684, dated April 22, 1879; application filed February 20, 1879. v

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM R. MILLER, of the city of Baltimore and State of Maryland, have invented certain Improvements in the Manufacture of Boots, of which the following is a specification; and I do hereby declare that in the same is contained a full, clear, and exact description of my said invention, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon.

This invention relates to certain improvements in the manufacture of that class of boots in which the boot is provided with a counter or heel-stiffener applied to the outside thereof or exteriorly of the back.

In the further description of the said invention which follows, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof, and in which- Figure l is an exterior side elevation of my improved boot. Fig. 2 is a vertical section of parts of the boot on an enlarged scale. Fig} 3 is an enlarged cross-section of Fig. 1 on the dotted line a: y. Fig. 4 is a view, on an enlarged scale, of parts of the boot, the said parts being extended in order to better illustrate their construction andrelative arrangement. Fig. 5 is a view of the parts of the boot corresponding to those shown in Fig. 4, and illustrates a modified construction of the eye or side seam. Figs. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11 illustrate further modifications in the construction of the eye or side seams.

Similar letters of reference indicate similar parts in all the figures; andthe rows of stitches employed to secure the various parts of the boot together are represented by dotted lines.

A and B are, respectively,-theiront and back of the boot, connected together by the eye or side seams, G. D is the counter or heel-stiffener, located exteriorly of the back, the edges of which are shaved or beveled to a feather ed-ge. E is the counter-protector, extending vertically on the outside of the counter to a point considerably above the same, where it is secured by a row of stitches, a. The lateral ends of the counter-protector pass to the interior of the boot through the eye or side seams, and are fastened either by the stitches which form a part of the said seams alone, or by the said stitches and one or more additional rows of stitches.

In the boot illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4 the eye-seams are free from any unnecessary roughness or inward projection, and the welts, which are represented by I), do not extend below the upper edge of the counter-protector, the lateral ends of. the same being used instead of that device. The welt is shown in Fig. 4. as increased in width, for the purpose of forming a continuation of the counter protector as viewed from the interior of the boot.

The construction of the eye or side seam shown in Fig. 5 differs from that in the preceding figures, in that the edge of the counterproteetor is crimped under the edge of the front, and the stitches which secure it in this position are continued above its upper ed ge, to prevent the same from being turned down or over in the introduction of the foot to the boot.

In the boot illustrated in Figs. 6, 7, 8, 9,10, and 11 the Welt extends to the bottom of the boot-leg, and the boot presents from the out side the usual appearance. The difference be tween the boot shown in Figs. 6, 7, and 8 and the one illustrated in Figs. 9, 10, and 11 consists only in the manner of disposing of the ends of the counter-protector. In the firstnamed figures the said ends lap over the edges of the welt and front, and are secured. by a row of stitches, which increases the strength of the seams, while in the latter figures they are cut off even with or to correspond with the edges of the welt and front and back.

The advantage usually claimed for boots having the stiffening-counter placed exterior-1y of the back is that the inner surface of the back is smooth, and free from any projecting edge that would interfere with the drawing on of the boot 5 but this advantage is more than counterbalanced by the liability of the counter to be ripped off and become detached at its edges, which are exposed.

My present improvements obviate these difficulties, and the boot presents a smooth and well-finished appearance both interiorly andexteriorly, all the edges of the counter being covered.

Other rows of stitches may be added to the boot, if desired, without affecting the nature ends or edges introduced to the interior of the boot through or by means of the eye or side seams and suitably fastened, substantially as herein specified.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name this 19th day of February, A. D. 1879.

WM. R. MILLER.

in s.]

Witnesses:

JOHN W. TAYLOR, WM. T. HOWARD. 

